Claunch and Stewart Families

Civil War Service

Served with Polk County Rifles - Phillips Legion, Georgia

2nd Manassas
Aug 28 - Sep 1, 1862
McLaw's or Anderson's Division
Drayton's Brigade

Maryland Campaign
Sharpsburg
Sept 2 - 20, 1862
Longstreet's Corps
McLaw's Division

Fredericksburg, Virginia
Dec 11 - 15, 1862
Longstreet's Corp
McLaw's Division
Cobb's Brigade

Chancellorsville, Virginia
Apr 27 - May 6, 1863
McLaw's Division
Wofford's Brigade

Cold Harbor, Virigina
June 27, 1862

Bluffton, South Carolina
(North of Savannah, Georgia)

Letter

Richmond Dec 28th 1864

Hon James A Seddon
Sec of War

Sir:
Some time ago Lieut J W Barrett made application to appear before a medical board for examination with a view to retierment. He was examined and being found unfit for field service he was recommended for light duty at Columbus Geo. The papers being for some cause delayed, a thirty days leave of absence was granted to him. He is now in Georgia awaiting the papers, upon which final action has not been taken. His return to this place will involve inconvenience and expense. I learn that his retirement will be certain, and I therefore respectfully ask an extension of his leave of absence.

Respectfully
Geo N Lester M C
8th Dist. Ga.

Letter

Richmond Virginia
November 23rd

Genl,
Sir

Having been retired from service in the field by a Medical Examining Board I respectfully ask leave of absence for thirty (30) days to await the action on my papers.
Hoping the application will be favorably considered. I am Sir

Your Abs ??
J. W. Barrett
Lieut Co I 3rd Batl. Ga.

To
G.Goo??
A & I ??

Letter

Transcribed from a document written by Joseph Wilson Barrett, b. 1839, Gordon County, Georgia; d. Dalton, Georgia

Went as private soldier - but was commisn by war Depart in Spring of 63 as Lieutenant & assigned to co of sharpshooters.
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I left Emory College in May 1861 & enlisted in the Confederate Army the 11th day of May in the Polk County Rifles in Phillips Legion. At Big Spring we drilled hard for a few weeks & then we were moved to Lynchburg Va & from there to West. Va where under Lee & Loring we encountered Genl Rosencrance. After that we were transferd to the Coast of SC to guard the Coast. Was stationed at (Pocalatigo) and Bluffton. Genl Curshaw was in charge and in the summer of 1862 we were rushed to Richmond as reinforcements to Lee at the seven days fight but didn't get there until Lee had whipped the fight. We were put in M'Laws Div, in Longstreets core was in some small engatements & long hard marches but our first real engatement was at second battle of Manassas where the enemy was for a second time completely routed. We marched up & down in Va going over to Maryland where we again met the foe at Sharpsburg & then back to Va & fought Genl Hooker at Fredericksburg repulsing his drunken soldiers eleven times in one day - We then went into winter quarters & in early XspringX summer we met the enemy again at Chancelorsville on May 2 1863 also on the 3rd - was a hot engagement on both days & early in the morning of the third day which was Sunday I was wounded by gun short ball passing through the left fore arm near the elbow. I was then sent to Richmond to the hospital & then furloughed for about two months durin gwhich time Genl Lee went into Pensylvania & the greatest battle of history was fought at Gettysburg. I returned soon after to my com. & remained in Va the bal of the war & was in the battle of Cold Harbor & various engagements - Came South about the 1st of /65 with Genl Wafford who was in command of this department. I was paroled at Kingston Ga in April 1865 - was under Genl Curshaw Genl Cobb & Genl Wafford as brigadier.

J. W. Barrett

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The document is a yellow, faded manuscript written in pencil and was carried by Joseph Wilson Barrett. It served as adiary of his life and was kept on his person in an aligator skin wallet

Biographical Sketch

Joseph Wilson Barrett ran a general store in Calhoun, Georgia, where Margaret Elizabeth and her brother Dennis were born. Before the children were very old the family moved to Dalton, Georgia, where Mr. Barrett entered the milling business.